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Transcript: “I went looking for a UX job the hard way, but won in the end” : Ask Me Anything

Are you having a difficult or stressful time breaking into UX? If the answer is yes, I hope you didn’t miss our Slack AMA session earlier today. If you did, you missed Doug Collins dishing out some really great advice – straight up and straight from the heart.

We talked about everything from imposter syndrome to working on open source projects for portfolio fodder. To continue the conversation, you can connect with Doug on our community forums.

If you didn’t make it because you didn’t know about it, joining our community is also the best way to get updates of upcoming sessions. To see what we discussed, or you want to revisit your own questions, here is a full transcript of the chat.

Transcript:

 

hawk
2016-08-11 02:59
Session starts: 4pm Tuesday 16 August PDT (9am Wednesday 17 August AEST)
You can use the command /tz help to get time zone conversion assistance here on Slack
hawk
2016-08-16 22:32
: 30 minute call for Doug Collins AMA on overcoming hurdles to find your dream UX job.
hawk
2016-08-16 22:52
Welcome to everyone that is here for Doug’s session. Feel free to introduce yourselves while we wait for kick off :slightly_smiling_face:
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:52
has joined #ask-doug-collins
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:53
Hi everyone! Great to see you all here.
hawk
2016-08-16 22:53
@gracieg: Welcome!
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:53
Hi! :slightly_smiling_face:
hawk
2016-08-16 22:53
Have you been to one of these sessions before?
hawk
2016-08-16 22:53
Hey @ashleamckay
hawk
2016-08-16 22:53
Good to see you here too
kelvision
2016-08-16 22:54
has joined #ask-doug-collins
jenny
2016-08-16 22:54
Hi all!
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:55
Hi @jenny!
hawk
2016-08-16 22:55
@kelvision: @jenny Welcome :slightly_smiling_face:
stevecrow
2016-08-16 22:55
whatsup everyone!
stevecrow
2016-08-16 22:55
haha
hawk
2016-08-16 22:55
Hey Steve! Great to see you
hawk
2016-08-16 22:55
Is anyone a first timer to these sessions?
kelvision
2016-08-16 22:55
Hello :slightly_smiling_face: This is my first time.
hawk
2016-08-16 22:55
Yay!
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:55
Welcome :slightly_smiling_face:
latonya
2016-08-16 22:56
Hello everyone. First time here.
ashleamckay
2016-08-16 22:56
Hello! :smiley:
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:56
Hi! No I haven’t been to one of these yet
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:56
Great to have you @latonya and @gracieg
hawk
2016-08-16 22:56
So the format is very relaxed. Shortly I’ll introduce Doug, he’ll introduce the session, and then you guys can jump in with questions until his fingers fall off
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:56
haha
hawk
2016-08-16 22:56
If things get busy, I’ll queue questions, so ask them as they come to mind
stevecrow
2016-08-16 22:56
Gracie what the heck is that you are holding in your picture?
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:57
haha, a fish!
hawk
2016-08-16 22:57
hahaha @stevecrow I was wondering the same thing!
hawk
2016-08-16 22:57
I couldn’t tell if it was a bat or a moth
hawk
2016-08-16 22:57
turns out it’s neither
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:57
The first fishy I ever caught :slightly_smiling_face: Got him in Alaska
stevecrow
2016-08-16 22:57
From the water?
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:57
ha!!
hawk
2016-08-16 22:57
crazy looking fish!
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:57
fits the profile!
stevecrow
2016-08-16 22:57
haha
hawk
2016-08-16 22:57
:smile:
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:58
This is wonderful, thank you for putting this on
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:58
We love doing this kind of stuff
hawk
2016-08-16 22:58
You’re welcome. We run them most weeks on different topics.
seyonwind
2016-08-16 22:58
Hello everyone. Aspiring UX designer from the SF East Bay here
hawk
2016-08-16 22:58
Where are you guys all checking in from?
hawk
2016-08-16 22:58
welcome @seyonwind
hawk
2016-08-16 22:58
I’m in Auckland, NZ
kelvision
2016-08-16 22:58
Australia!
hawk
2016-08-16 22:58
it’s coming up lunchtime on Wed
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:59
I’m in Melbourne, AU
gracieg
2016-08-16 22:59
Vancouver, BC
stevecrow
2016-08-16 22:59
Heaven
lukcha
2016-08-16 22:59
haha
stevecrow
2016-08-16 22:59
ok no Salinas, CA
ashleamckay
2016-08-16 22:59
Australia
tim
2016-08-16 22:59
has joined #ask-doug-collins
thisisdallas
2016-08-16 22:59
Indiana, US :corn::corn::corn:
hawk
2016-08-16 22:59
Welcome @tim
latonya
2016-08-16 23:00
UX designer in Santa Clara. Actively looking for UX positions after being a stay-at-home mom.
judi-p
2016-08-16 23:00
Hi all, and @gracieg – I’m in Vancouver, BC, also!
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:00
I finally made it to one of these on time. I’m usually reading the transcripts after the fact :nerd_face:
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:00
Hey Seyon!
hawk
2016-08-16 23:00
Awesome!
tim
2016-08-16 23:00
Thanks @hawk, nice day in Auckland isn’t it!
hawk
2016-08-16 23:00
You’re here too @tim ?
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:01
Hey Steve! Funny seeing you here :wink:
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:01
hah
hawk
2016-08-16 23:01
First time that?s happened!
jenny
2016-08-16 23:01
Anyone from nyc here? :slightly_smiling_face:
shoyastarr
2016-08-16 23:01
has joined #ask-doug-collins
frankenvision
2016-08-16 23:01
NJ
tim
2016-08-16 23:02
@hawk yep on the North Shore
hawk
2016-08-16 23:02
Awesome! I’m usually all alone down here. I’m over the other side, in Epsom
hawk
2016-08-16 23:02
Whoops, I got carried away. Kick off time!
hawk
2016-08-16 23:02
You good to go @dcollins5280 ?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:02
I’m ready to roll!
lukcha
2016-08-16 23:02
Great stuff!
hawk
2016-08-16 23:03
Cool. So welcome everyone. Thanks for taking the time to join us this morning/afternoon/evening
hawk
2016-08-16 23:03
Big thanks to Doug for giving us the gift of his time and experience
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:03
I’m very happy to be here :slightly_smiling_face:
hawk
2016-08-16 23:03
We first me Doug when he signed up at our community forums (which you should all join BTW http://community.uxmastery.com ) earlier this year
hawk
2016-08-16 23:04
hawk
2016-08-16 23:04
In his own words: Doug Collins has taken the long road to his current position as a UX Engineer for Trust Company of America. After years as an unsuccessful freelance journalist, Doug was forced to live out of his subcompact car for a little less than a year. During this time, Doug worked as a call center representative for Nordstrom during the day while independently studying web design, development, user experience, and user interaction by night.

Using this knowledge, he was eventually able to land jobs as a Software Engineer with Nordstrom, a contracted Interactive Designer and Team Lead working with a digital signage company, and his current UX Engineer role.

Doug specializes in streamlining existing inefficient systems to fit modern usability standards.

roberto
2016-08-16 23:05
has joined #ask-doug-collins
hawk
2016-08-16 23:05
And he’s here today to answer questions about overcoming hurdles, not giving up, and following the long road to your dream career
hawk
2016-08-16 23:05
So I’ll throw it over to you to give a brief intro to your story/the topic @dcollins5280
hawk
2016-08-16 23:05
And then– questions
hawk
2016-08-16 23:05
@roberto: Welcome :slightly_smiling_face:
roberto
2016-08-16 23:06
Thank you!
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:06
Hi everybody! (HI DR. NICK!)
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:07
I’m really excited and honored to be hanging out with everyone this afternoon/evening/morning/midday (depending on where you all are). Thanks to @hawk and the UXMastery team for giving me a platform to share my experience. Y’all rock.

So. Onto the topic at hand.

Hawk already gave a very good TL;DR of my career progression, as well as a link to the medium version of events. You can read the long version of my story at my blog, http://lostmegabites.com/2016/06/15/from-homeless-to-ux-engineer/

It was a long road, but one that taught me so much about the corporate world, the technology sector, and my own abilities. I’m here to share my story, offer advice, and (most importantly) learn from the amazingly talented group of UX professionals and enthusiast here today. Let’s get rolling!

hawk
2016-08-16 23:08
Who wants to jump in with a question? I assume many of you here are trying to break into UX. What is your biggest challenge?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:09
*Jeopardy theme song plays*
frankenvision
2016-08-16 23:09
My biggest challenge is lack of ux work experience with real clients…
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:09
@hawk @dcollins5280 First: thanks for putting this together.

The biggest challenge I’m facing, which may be unique, is I have a lot of ux-adjacent experience. How do I avoid getting trapped into doing what I’ve already done.

stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:10
How can I create more work samples BEFORE I am actually employed?
thisisdallas
2016-08-16 23:10
What did you do specifically that you attribute to landing your first UX job? Was it your experience, your education, connections, or something else?
latonya
2016-08-16 23:11
Most companies are looking to hire a Senior UX designer with 5+ years of experience. How do I overcome this? I have had a few short contract and freelance roles, but how can I push through without the experience most companies are looking for?
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:11
What was first experience as a UX designer like? -once you got hired for that role.
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:11
Your title is ‘UX Engineer.’ How does that differ from ‘UX Designer'”
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:11
@frankenvision: Practical experience, no matter where it comes from, is huge with employers. Do whatever you can to get experience in any way possible. One of the biggest things I did was to partner with other new professionals to work on projects we both found interesting. It gave me the opportunity to work with a team, build a portfolio, and show that I could actually do the work. Open source projects are also usually in desperate need of attention.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:11
@anne-dougherty: Can you expand a bit?
gracieg
2016-08-16 23:12
I have just come out of a UX boot camp and am in my first contract job with a young start up that doesn’t have much direction and no mentorship type roles above me. I’m worried that the young start-up path might be hindering my progression but no larger companies are replying to my resumes or portfolios as I am so young in the industry, Do you have any advice for young, enthusiastic ux designers trying to pierce through to the corporate world?
hawk
2016-08-16 23:12
Note: I’m queueing questions now
gracieg
2016-08-16 23:13
@hawk: thanks!
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:14
@latonya Don’t let the length-of-time requirements for a position stop you from applying for a job. The worst that can happen is that you don’t hear back. The best that can happen is that you get an interview based on your strength of work. It all depends on how the company is handling their interview process.
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:14
@dcollins5280: Sure…I’ve been working as a webmanager and doing content strategy and IA but I’d like to expand into more usability and interaction design. Every interview (OK, there have been 2) seems to want to put me back into doing…content strategy and IA.

In some ways I guess my problem is the same as @stevecrow and @frankenvision : How do I show I can do other things?

hawk
2016-08-16 23:15
Note to channel – if you feel you can answer questions or have things to add, please feel free
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:15
Okay, @anne-dougherty, that makes a lot of sense. There’s no substitute for practical experience. The best way you can show that you can do something is to actually do it.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:15
Have you looked for any open-source projects to work on? Do you have a portfolio built out?
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:16
@dcollins5280: Yep, I do. But open-source or charity projects are a good route. Thanks for the reminder.
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:16
How do you determine which open source projects are never going to launch for whatever reason and which will actually result in shipping code?
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:17
Do you have any recommendations on where to find open-source projects to contribute to? I’ve heard of Creatives Without Borders.
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:17
@gracieg: One of the good things about UX is it’s a lot of finding your own path. Are there meet-ups where you are? Anyone you could approach to mentor you even if they don’t work at your company?
frankenvision
2016-08-16 23:17
I feel overwhelmed trying to learn as much about ux as possible… I’m not sure where I fit in… Do you specialize in anything @dcollins5280?
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:19
@seyonwind: For charity projects you can try https://www.taprootplus.org/projects
shoyastarr
2016-08-16 23:19
hi @dcollins5280 , Most of my experience involves call centers but noone sees past that even though I now have front end web development experience and noone gives me the chance to do real UX work. I may do another call center role pretty soon but do you have advice to get higher ups to quickly have trust in you to work with them on projects related to UX?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:19
@thisisdallas: As to what I attribute to landing my role, it was a combination of things. I studied journalism in college, but had been doing web design as a freelance thing since I was a teenager. I had a good background to draw from, and when I was living in my car I had A LOT of time on my hands. I studied what I could, and ended up with a great toolbelt of skills to draw from (PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL, UX, etc.)
gracieg
2016-08-16 23:20
@anne-dougherty: Thanks for replying! Yes I have someone I can speak with as a mentorship like person, who is wonderful, however I’m really looking for team work and solidarity rather than being more solo and in control when I dont feel in the know…. Yes, I attend meetups and conferences too :slightly_smiling_face:
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:21
When I finally felt comfortable applying for UX jobs, I was able to speak intelligently on a variety of topics. I was also lucky to have quite a bit of practical experience working a previous job as an interactive developer where I took interactive digital signage projects start-to-finish. I got that job by showing what I could do with open source and personal projects.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:21
Bottom line, it came down to a lot of hard work over the course of time, but I didn’t do anything anyone else couldn’t have done. I just put myself in position to take advantage of the opportunities that came up.
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:23
@gracieg: I know…saying “do you go to meet-ups” is like tech support saying “have you tried another browser” :face_with_rolling_eyes: Solo is hard, for sure. I wish I had a better answer.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:23
@seyonwind: My god, my first UX Experience was SCARY. I’m not going to lie about that. It was a new experience for me, and I am a UX team of one for my company. I was coming into an environment where I was expected to be an expert, and I did my best to carry myself like one. I was very conscious of how I presented myself and the type of collaborative environment I was looking to build in the first few days. It paid dividends indeed. I’ve been on the job for about half a year now, and we are growing a great UX culture.
leovogel
2016-08-16 23:24
has joined #ask-doug-collins
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:24
As far as Engineer vs. Designer– there’s not really much formal difference, in my experience. More of what HR chooses to call you. The roles are pretty much interchangable.
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:24
@dcollins5280: How do you deal with that…with Imposter Syndrome?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:26
@gracieg: Have someone look over your resume and portfolio and critique it critically. Especially as a young professional, you may be making some mistakes you just don’t have the experience to recognize quite yet. If you’d like to send them over to me, I’d be happy to review them. PM me and I’ll drop you my email.
hawk
2016-08-16 23:26
@anne-dougherty: Have you read this article? http://uxmastery.com/owning-mistakes-ux-career/
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:26
@hawk: I have not. Thank you!
gracieg
2016-08-16 23:27
@dcollins5280: wow! That’s very generous. I would love too. Thank you very much
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:27
@stevecrow: So happy you’re here! One of my favorite dudes in the forums :slightly_smiling_face: Figuring out which open source projects are going to ship is rough, so I actually tend to work on open source projects that are either shipped or close to completion. Even if they don’t accept my UX changes, I still get some great practice and possibly something to put in my portfolio as a proposed change.
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:28
haha doug – I had that SAME idea, so funny!
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:29
@seyonwind: I get a lot of open source work from looking around for code bases on GitHub. I have some developer experience, so I’ll occasionally fork a project and use it for my own purposes.
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:29
I was actually thinking of approaching iPhone app developers from the store, so I know they have already shipped at least one version
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:30
@frankenvision: I know how you feel. It’s a rough place to be. I don’t specialize in anything other than streamlining existing UX, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. Is there any particular aspect of UX you find interesting?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:31
@shoyastarr: Call center family unite! :facepunch:
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:32
I try to minimize my call center experience on my resume. I list it so that employers know that I don’t have a gap in employment, but I don’t list what I did.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:32
Your resume should be focused on what you can provide to the role you’re applying for. If it’s not relevant, cut it out.
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:33
OK, what about employment gaps then? what if you DO have them?any advice?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:33
@anne-dougherty: My goodness. I could talk about imposter syndrome for days.
shoyastarr
2016-08-16 23:33
thank you @dcollins5280 !!!
leovogel
2016-08-16 23:34
Hi @dcollins5280, I’m struggling to find an entry-mid level UX job in Australia because I need sponsorship. I only have 2-3 years of experience working in UX as a team-of-one as one of my responsibilities. I feel like my career growth is suffocated by my current employer because they don’t value UX enough to make it a position on it’s own. They think someone with an attention to detail can do both QA and UX?and they think that the person doing UX shouldn’t be talking to clients/customers/users to get feedback through usability testing or research. I’ve done amazing work over the past three years and improved the company in so many areas that it’s really disappointing to not get any support from my employer in pursuing my own goals. I’m trying not to risk my livelihood and future more than I have to. Any advice? Am I asking too much out of life to live where I want AND do the work that I want to do? Is the answer a longer term strategy instead of a short term strategy?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:35
It’s something I’ve struggled with a lot in my professional career, especially as I don’t have any formal education in UX or the tech world. I constantly feel like I don’t belong. I try to think of my job like a long-term relationship, though. Nobody is perfect, especially at the beginning as you’re both figuring things out. Eventually things will either work out, or they won’t. All you can do is your best. Go out each day with a full heart, ride the highs for as long as you can, and when the lows come remember that THEY CHOSE YOU for the job.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:35
Obviously somebody already believes in you. It’s a great reason to believe in yourself :slightly_smiling_face:
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:35
@dcollins5280: Thank you!
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:36
@stevecrow: How big of a gap are you talking?
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:36
Errrr let’s say three years
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:36
:disappointed:
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:36
@leovogel: Usability testing and research are part of UX. So…know you aren’t crazy.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:37
No worries man. Did you do any volunteer work during that time?
frankenvision
2016-08-16 23:37
I’m interested in IA, Interaction Design and Usability testing…
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:37
No I was transitioning from another career field – video production – as a solo-preneur – trying to find work – and didn’t
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:37
long story too long for here
leovogel
2016-08-16 23:38
@anne-dougherty: I know I’m not crazy. They’re the crazy ones. Though I expect it’s more that they’re cutting corners/don’t have the resources to make QA and UX two separate positions.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:38
No worries. I know the feeling.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:39
Would you feel comfortable listing that time as working for yourself as an independent video producer? If that’s what you were doing during that time, I’d list it that way, and describe it in terms of what I learned in that job that I could apply to my new position.
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:40
OK, I can do that
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:40
@leovogel: Yep, just ’cause it’s all under the same umbrella doesn’t mean one person can do it all :wink:
tim
2016-08-16 23:40
Hi @dcollins5280 My question is around how I can as a Product Manager improve the UX knowledge and awareness of my team of developers?

We all appreciate good UX when we see it and use it, however creating it from scratch is more difficult. We have lots of discussions (arguments) about how our app should look and flow, and as we all have different backgrounds and preferences we also have different opinions on UX. We obviously engage with our users and value their feedback, we’re also learning a lot from hands on experience as we just build things, make mistakes and improve it, however I feel we as a team need to be more confident and consistent in our UX abilities and deliverables. Reducing the time spent on iterations will speed up time to market for product improvements, so my thinking is that producing better quality UX earlier on will help us ship faster (yes I have my PM hat firmly on)

stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:41
@tim – the research should settle the argument, yes?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:42
@leovogel: I’m from Denver, Colorado, so I can’t speak a whole lot to the Australian work permit issue. We do have some fellow Aussies in the room, though, so perhaps they may be able to give some advice down that road. As for your strategy, however, I don’t think a long term strategy is necessary. Do you have a portfolio yet? If not, can you build one?
stevecrow
2016-08-16 23:42
in other words, go with the direction your research already supports and iterate from there, shouldn’t need to be any arguing imho
hawk
2016-08-16 23:42
@tim: We’re looking at running a UX workshop in Auckland for teams in your position. DM me if you think that’s something you’d be interested in.
judi-p
2016-08-16 23:42
@leovogel: If you can see how you have improved the company (and think bottom line as they do), make a business case for supporting you. Don’t be a Cinderella, go after it. I approach these things like an anthropologist, finding an informant (someone who knows the culture well – they don’t have to be inside that specific company) and learning the ‘language’. This puts the onus on you to discover what problem your employer has that you are helping to solve, and find a way to tell them that in terms that matter to them. Believe me, this process will come in handy for freelancing, working with clients, just as much as it can lead you to a better positioning inside a company.
tim
2016-08-16 23:43
Good point, it does some of the time, perhaps we just need to do more of it and as early as possible.
tim
2016-08-16 23:43
Thanks @hawk will do
leovogel
2016-08-16 23:44
@dcollins5280: I have a small portfolio but it doesn’t show a detailed process; it’s more examples of the wireframe work I’ve done. Like I said, I’ve be severely restricted by my current employer in terms of what they’ll let me do and what responsibilities they’re giving me (I’m the only person doing QA or UX). I need to find a position in the next couple of months or I’ll have to give up. I can’t spend a lot of time creating mock projects for a portfolio or learning new skills.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:44
@tim The situation you describe is *exactly* why my company decided they needed to hire a UX professional. A lot of what I do is helping to streamline the development process in our Agile environment and be the expert that keeps the group out of those types of conversations. Is hiring a full-time UX’er a possibility for you?
hawk
2016-08-16 23:45
: We’re almost at the end of the queued questions so if you have something to ask, now is the perfect time.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:45
@leovogel: Understood. Are you looking to stay with your current company, or get on somewhere else (given your preference)?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:46
@hawk: Shew! I’m loving all of the questions– and hoping I’m being helpful.
leovogel
2016-08-16 23:46
@dcollins5280 and @judi-p: For many reasons, I think I need and want to move on to somewhere new
frankenvision
2016-08-16 23:47
Thanks @dcollins5280 and @hawk
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:47
Do you have an online portfolio? The link to 5280creative.studio on your site isn’t working
anadilbham
2016-08-16 23:47
Hi Doug, Thanks for being here. I’m exploring the field of UX design and graphic design in general so I’m out learning everything I can about the field at the moment. My question is: What are hiring managers looking for in terms of skills and portfolio? What programs do I need to know and what’s the fastest and most effective way of learning those programs, attaining those skills, and building up that portfolio? And is there anything you wish you knew about the field before going into it?
tim
2016-08-16 23:47
@dcollins5280 Not right now as we’re doing so much full stack development that we couldn’t keep them busy full time, however engaging with a UX expert as required could be a viable option.
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:47
Wait, nvm. I got it (but the link is still broken, fyi)
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:49
@leovogel: I’d target my search towards smaller companies with a startup culture. In my experience, they’re more likely to give you a shot based on your ability rather than your experience. You’ll still need to put together a good resume *focused on your UX work*. Don’t waste any time on anything apart from what you can do for them, even if it’s the bulk of your current position.
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:49
This is off topic, but what’s the significant of 5280? Nice portfolio site btw
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:49
@seyonwind: Apologies there– I’ll fix it. I’d also like to note my portfolio is in poor shape at the moment. I went to change it earlier, and got sidetracked. There’s only a couple of low-level projects up there now.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:50
5280 is a mile above sea level. I’m from Denver, the “Mile High City.” We’re exactly a mile above sea level :slightly_smiling_face:
hawk
2016-08-16 23:50
Woah! We’re about 100m above sea level here
leovogel
2016-08-16 23:51
@dcollins5280: the problem with smaller startup companies is they’re much less likely to be willing to sponsor someone
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:51
@hawk: Where I live is at sea level :wink:
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:51
@anadilbham: Kudos to keeping things going on the self-learning front!
hawk
2016-08-16 23:51
@anne-dougherty: Hope the polar icecaps stop melting then!
anne-dougherty
2016-08-16 23:52
@hawk: Hahaha. Not much chance of that. We’re about 2 hours in-land so it’s all good.
hawk
2016-08-16 23:52
: We have 5 mins left in the session. Does anyone feel that their question was missed or needs further discussion?
mandrew
2016-08-16 23:52
@hawk: any plans for running any UX workshops in Wellington?
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:53
Skills: Adobe CS (Specifically Photoshop and Illustrator), mockup programs like Justinmind or Sketch, something for low-fi mockups like Balsamiq are all good things to add to the resume.
judi-p
2016-08-16 23:53
@leovogel: Too true, it doesn’t sound like a very nurturing place for a new career. However, a mindset shift as I am suggesting is useful for your own career self-management. I like self-marketing, which is a more proactive approach to finding places that need you and your talents, than job-seeking alone. Position-filling is a big investment for a company, and of course you need to be employed, but the postings alone don’t tell the whole story of a company’s need for workers. Short term contract work can be an audition for more. Has been for me.
lukcha
2016-08-16 23:53
Yep, we hope to. Ping me after the session @mandrew :slightly_smiling_face:
hawk
2016-08-16 23:53
@mandrew: Potentially, yes. Email me on hawk at http://uxmastery.com to discuss further if you?re interested
mandrew
2016-08-16 23:53
Cool thanks @hawk @lukcha
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:54
As far as skills are concerned, graphic design, working knowledge of web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JQuery are all good places to start).
hawk
2016-08-16 23:54
@mandrew: Ignore me. Ping @lukcha (he’s the guy that does the teaching!)
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:54
Also, I can’t emphesize the importance of the s
hawk
2016-08-16 23:55
I feel strongly about the s as well
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:55
oft skills in the corporate world– communication and leadership. They don’t show on a resume, but they are vital to succeeding in the industry.
lukcha
2016-08-16 23:55
Absolutey!
andrea_c
2016-08-16 23:55
:+1:
hawk
2016-08-16 23:56
Well, this feels like a natural place to close.
hawk
2016-08-16 23:56
Thanks so much @dcollins5280 ? you’ve been an absolute star.
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:56
I don’t want to say “thank goodness”, but today was certainly a workout for my fingers :slightly_smiling_face:
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:56
Thanks to everyone for all the great questions!
lukcha
2016-08-16 23:57
Thanks so much @dcollins5280 :slightly_smiling_face:
hawk
2016-08-16 23:57
Thanks everyone for joining us
seyonwind
2016-08-16 23:57
Thanks so much for sharing your time with us today @dcollins5280. And thank you as always for hosting another great session @hawk
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:57
If you’d like to follow up with me personally, please feel free to DM me here, or find my contact information on my website (http://5280creative.studio).
hawk
2016-08-16 23:57
If you want to discuss this stuff further, join us at http://community.uxmastery.com
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:57
@seyonwind: You’re very welcome.
lukcha
2016-08-16 23:58
This is such a useful conversation to be having. I’d love to continue it in the forums.
tim
2016-08-16 23:58
Thanks all
dcollins5280
2016-08-16 23:58
Good night/afternoon/evening/day y’all! Thanks again for coming by!
hawk
2016-08-16 23:58
Later everyone :slightly_smiling_face:
lukcha
2016-08-16 23:59
Cheers!
gracieg
2016-08-17 00:18
Thank you!